There is evidence that animals had disturbed the remains, so she likely died very soon after she got lost.

There is no clear sign of a cause of death and an autopsy is pending. The remains and evidence involving animal activity will be sent to the Calaveras County Coroner’s Office and a California Department of Fish and Wild Life laboratory for further processing and examination.

But there is no doubt that it was Coultrup.

"There was clothing, car keys and identification found near where the remains were found," Sgt. Stark told FOX40.

Many family members gathered at a Lodi area restaurant to grieve and celebrate a life well-lived.

FOX40 showed them their first look at the site where Coultrup was found. More tragic was that it was near an area where they searched early on.

"Just right there but you can't grab it, and that's how we feel right now," Christine Coultrup said. "We were so close but yet, not close enough."